Education
Community Protests Bullying Following Tragic Death of Nex Benedict
Following the tragic death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict at Owasso High School in Oklahoma, the community has rallied together in protest against bullying, particularly towards the 2SLGBTQ community.
Students at Owasso High School staged a walkout on Monday to show solidarity with the victims of bullying and to support the school’s 2SLGBTQ community amidst ongoing concerns about school safety.
The Trans Advocacy Coalition of Oklahoma, alongside concerned parents and former students like Cassidy Brown, organized the protest to highlight the issues of anti-LGBTQ bullying and violence within the school.
Nex Benedict’s untimely death occurred one day after a physical altercation with three other students at the school, sparking a nationwide conversation on the importance of addressing bullying in educational settings.
Footage released by the Owasso Police Department showed Nex Benedict recounting the events leading up to the altercation, where they faced bullying for their gender expression and ultimately suffered physical harm.
The Benedict family, represented by their mother Sue Benedict, has called for action and answers regarding the bullying Nex experienced, which they believe intensified following laws signed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt that restricted the rights of transgender and gender-expansive youth.
Owasso Public Schools has emphasized their commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, stating that bullying in any form is unacceptable and that they have procedures in place to address such behavior.
The tragic incident involving Nex Benedict has prompted the Human Rights Campaign to demand federal investigations into potential violations of protections for LGBTQ students at Owasso High School.
Advocacy groups and allies nationwide are calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation surrounding Nex Benedict’s death, with concerns about growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the state of Oklahoma and across the country.
